MAY 1860: BROWNSVILLE ISSUES FAKE NEWS ON CORTINA

(Following the takeover and occupation of Brownsville by Juan N. Cortina and his followers on September 27-30, 1859, stories abounded about his supposed depredations all over South Texas. Earlier that year - on February 5, 1859 -  Brevet Major General D.E. Twiggs, then commander of the military Department of Texas - had issued orders for the abandonment of  Ft. Brown, Ringgold Barracks and Ft. McIntosh, all posts on the Rio Grande. 

The citizens of Brownsville, desirous of the presence of the troops and the economic infusion of having the soldiers there, sent numerous pleas to Washington for their return. After Cortina's takeover, numerous stories circulated and caught the attention of the national press. Twiggs, in November 12, was prompted to send troops there, until he found out that the stories were made up by Brownsville citizens and their representatives. In other words, the original fake news. The following is a letter from Secretary of War John B. Floyd to Col. S. Cooper, Adjutant-General of the U.S. Army.)

New York Times
March 9, 1860

"There was no well-founded reason to apprehend any danger from the withdrawal of the garrisons until the 20th of October information reached the department that Cortinas (sic) with a band of desperadoes had, on the 27th of September entered Brownsville and murdered several citizens of the place besides committing repeated acts of plunder.

"This information came through Gen. Twiggs, the officer in command of that department, and through whom application was made for troops to protect the place. The general promptly determined upon the disposition of certain troops, which he thus explains.

"'I shall order one company of infantry to the junction of the Leona and Frio Rivers and one to some point below Fort Duncan. A detachment of artillery has been ordered to scout between Forts Clark and Duncan and a company off cavalry from Camp Hudson to the same point'.'

"In addition to these movements, orders were given from this Department to Gen. Twiggs to reoccupy Fort Brown immediately with the two companies from Fort Clark. On the 29th of October this information was communicated to Hon. John Hemphill, a Senator from Texas, in response to a request of the citizens of Brownsville, asking for protection.


"Disturbances however, seemed to increase at Brownsville, and in the consequence of communications from the above-named Senator, and from the citizens of the town, relative to the disastrous state of affairs on the Rio Grande, received on the 3rd of November, 1859, orders were given from this Department to move one company of artillery from Baton Rouge to Fort Brown, which order was promptly executed.

"On the 19th of November the following dispatch was received from Gen. Twiggs: 'Nov. 12, 1859. Gen Twiggs reports that an express had just arrived at his headquarters with information that Brownsville had been burnt, and that 100 Americans killed by Cortinas (sic).

He ordered out seven companies of foot and two of horse, under Major (Samuel Peter)  Heintzelman to take the field.


"This alarming state of affairs thus set forth by the commanding general seemed to demand that prompt and active measures should be taken by the department, and orders were at once issued by telegraph to Lt. Col.  E.V. Sumner to send from Fort Leavenworth two companies of light artillery and three companies of foot; and similar orders were sent to the commander of Fort Monroe to send six companies of foot with all speed to the Rio Grande.

"Burt the following dispatch from the commanding general came in just in time to prevent the movement of the troops. 'Nov. 21, 1859. Gen. Twiggs reports that the reports concerning Cortinas (sic) prove to be mostly false; the order sending troops to Brownsville has been countermanded.'"

"Very great and perplexing difficulties presented themselves in the progress of these events to determine upon the proper course of action to pursue. Cortinas (sic) was represented alternately as a Mexican bandit, leading Mexican invaders, and as a citizen of Texas, merely engaged in a private feud, backed by and opposed to citizens of his own state. But about the disorder and growing feeling of hostility between the Mexicans and the Americans could be no doubt, and therefore it was deemed proper tom concentrate such a force on the border as the means and men at the command of the Department would authorize.

"It is certain that, whatever may have been the origins of the quarrel, or who the parties to it at first, it has now grown to formidable and dangerous proportions. The band of Cortinas (sic) increased rapidly, until its numbers reached over five hundred men, and he posted himself on the banks of the Rio Grande, there keeping up constant and friendly intercourse with the Mexican shore, and maintaining an attitude of determined hostility to all Americans.

"So things remained until the 4th of December, when Maj. Heintzelman, with 150 regular troops and 180 Texan volunteers, fell in with Cortinas (sic), strongly posted, and after a sharp engagement, routed him completely, taking his guns, camp equipage and munitions, and killing about 60 of the banditti. Cortinas (sic) fled with his shattered band to the Mexican shore, where he remains, insulting and firing upon the Americans across the river, in defiance of Mexican authority, if they attempt to exercise any, which is greatly questioned by many intelligent men having good opportunities to observe, whilst marauding parties of his men cross the river continually for the purpose of theft and plunder.

"This state of affairs, as I understand it, constitutes the foundation of the report of the commissioners sent by the Governor of Texas to the frontier to examine into all the facts connected with the disturbances on the border. And upon their report he declares that Texas has been invaded, and he calls for the 'interposition of the Federal arm' for the protection of the citizens of the state.

"This call from the governor is the first which has been made by the authorities of Texas for any assistance in these disturbances from this government; no doubt because it was considered by them, up to this time, as a matter involving local laws and interests rather than such as pertained to the honor and interest of the confederacy.

"But upon this call of the Governor of Texas, and upon the undeniable proof of gross outrages committed upon our soil, I did not hesitate to order a concentration of all the force upon the frontier which the exigencies of the service elsewhere would allow.

Very Respectfully, your obedient servant,
John B. Floyd
Secretary of War